Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Several alert readers pointed out that the towering sign for the old Queen Park Cinema came down on Wednesday (see before and after photos below).

The huge sign, long a familiar landmark for South Boulevard commuters, first advertised the Queens Drive-In, which opened in 1962. After the drive-in closed, the tower was kept to advertise the Queen Park Cinema in the same location. The cinema was torn down in 2004 to make way for the Lynx light rail line.

The sign before

The sign after dismantling began Wednesday

The sign came down Wednesday as Pappas Properties moves forward with plans to create a transit-oriented office, retail and residential complex at the site, near Scaleybark Road. "It's always sad to see a familiar landmark, or icon, go away," said Rodney Gardner, the Charlotte resident who noticed the sign's dismantling Wednesday and snapped the photos.

He and others on social media were wondering what the developers of the site plan to do with the sign. Peter Pappas said the sign's massive size and the high cost of refurbishing it made it a challenge to incorporate into the new plans. "Our design team spent a lot of time and effort trying to come up with a way to incorporate it," he said. "We just couldn't figure out a way."

D.H. Griffin Construction Co. has the sign now, he said, adding that he is unsure what the contractor plans to do with it. The construction company couldn't be reached Wednesday evening.

"all the business ruined by that little train to downtown."?? i guess you missed this link in the story: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/05/19/4919917/hot-south-end-market-could-boost.html#.U6tZQY1g5e5

and all the other development that's occurred because of the LYNX line?

yeah, i'm sad to see a landmark go too, but that part of town was a dump for years, and while it started coming around before the Blue Line, a lot of it did so in anticipation of the line, and only accelerated development of the area once it was completed.

apparently you dont remember that area in the '80s and '90s. typical myopic comment of a teabagger.

I've recently notice the new development on South Blvd, south of Archdale....3 new pawn shops, 2 new nail places, and 4 new taco trucks...Way to go Charlotte, only 20 more pawn shops until we're considered world class.Meanwhile Mr Pappas enjoys his tax breaks, and making millions on the backs of the middle class taxpayers..

@6:54 - You forgot the hulking QT gas station that just got built near Arrowood, but your point is valid. While transit influenced development has sprung like wildfire on the northern half of the South Blvd corridor, the southern half has been largely neglected.

However, this project near Scaleybark is the first development of this type this far south on South Blvd, so perhaps there is hope that the renewal of this corridor will eventually span the entire length of South Blvd.

However, I hope the taco trucks stay, there's some pretty good eatin' there!

Pappas is an old fool.. if they couldn't find a way to incorporate it, they should have asked the local neighborhood association or other historic preservation associations to step in. I know it's not "old", but it truly was a landmark for that area. More so than those frisbees along the light rail.

There are some pretty amazing local shops across from the old Queen Park like Kai's Kookies and More Bakery and Eaglespeak Coffee House. Both have a thriving customer featuring live bands and hosting meetup groups. The Bakery is opened till midnight and many locals compare them to Amelies. The owners live in the adjacent neighborhoods also.

"that part of town was a dump for years, and while it started coming around before the Blue Line, a lot of it did so in anticipation of the line, and only accelerated development of the area once it was completed.

apparently you dont remember that area in the '80s and '90s. typical myopic comment of a teabagger."

@ 7:25p : Typical comment of a teabagger? That is baseless and low class, way to go. You have NO idea which way that person leans, you just automatically assume that they are 'teapartiers' because you disagree with their opinion; which is like someone calling me racist because I disagree with Obama! If ppl want to get past hate speech (racism, sexism, homophobism), they need to quit assuming about others and blasting ppl when they assume about you!

As far as the light rail being credited with revitalizing South End, that's at best a plausible assumption. There is no proof that the light rail is the reason for revitalization, anymore than the current working class desire for more urban lifestyles. You take the light rail away, South End will still be redeveloped... just ask the rest of the almost 11 mile line.

BTW, typically the same people who jump up and down about gentrification are the same ones who champion redevelopment. In my professional opinion, anyone who claims 1 project is the driving force for the success of an area, clearly doesn't know anything about city planning.

And what exactly is wrong with the QT? I live in Starmount and I'm thrilled to have it. All my neighbors are too. It's way better than the ghetto gas station (I call it the Stab 'N Grab) on the opposite corner where I'm accosted by beggars and bums asking for "bus fare" every time I get out of my car!

Ely Portillo

Ely Portillo

About this blog

Ely Portillo covers economic development for the Observer, writing about who's building what in a city that seems to be sprouting new apartment and office towers on every corner. He also writes about Charlotte's airport, a major hub that's also undergoing a huge growth spurt. A transplant from Maryland, he's been reporting on his adopted hometown for more than five years. If you have a tip or story idea to share, you can contact him by email or give him a call at 704-358-5041. For the latest news, follow him on Twitter @ESPortillo.